Female reproductive syste M

EXTERNAL GENTILIA The vulva refers to those parts that are outwardly visible The vulva includes: Mons pubis Labia majora Labia minora Clitoris Bartholin’s glands & Skene’s glands –situated within the labia minora,function is to secrete mucus during sexual arousal Urethral opening Vaginal opening Perineum

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY

MONS PUBIS The triangular mound of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone It protects the pubic symphysis During adolescence sex hormones trigger the growth of pubic hair on the mons pubis

LABIA MAJORA The Labia Majora: Are covered with hair and sebaceous glands Become flaccid with age and after childbirth

LABIA MINORA Made up of erectile, connective tissue that swells during sexual arousal Located inside the labia majora

CLITORIS Highly sensitive organ composed of nerves, blood vessels, and erectile tissue Located under the prepuce It is made up of a shaft and a glans Becomes engorged with blood during sexual stimulation

PERINEUM The muscle and tissue located between the vaginal opening and anal canal It supports and surrounds the lower parts of the urinary and digestive tracts The perinium contains an abundance of nerve endings that make it sensitive to touch An episiotomy is an incision of the perinium used during childbirth for widening the vaginal opening

PERINEUM

Vestibule Triangular shaped area between the labia minora.The vagina,urethral opening and ducts of the greater vestibular glands open into it

VAGINAL OPENING Opening partially covered by a thin sheath called the hymen Hymen is a thin membrane of connective tissue ,covered by mucus membrane partially occluding the opening of the vagina UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

INTERNAL GENITALIA The internal genitalia consists of the: Vagina Cervix Uterus Fallopian Tubes Ovaries

UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

VAGINA The vagina connects the cervix to the external genitals It is located between the bladder and rectum Lined by squamous epithelium It functions : As a passageway for the menstrual flow For uterine secretions to pass down through the introitus As the birth canal during labor With the help of two Bartholin’s glands becomes lubricated during SI Mucus and the low pH makes a hostile environment to sperms

UTERUS A hollow muscular pear shaped organ It is made up of the endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium The powerful muscles of the uterus expand to accommodate a growing fetus and push it through the birth canal(important in both pregnancy and labour)

Uterus Endometrium-mucous membrane that lines the inner cavity of the uterus.It varies in thickness and structure during the menstrual cycle and is shed at menstruation.site of implantation Myometrium- muscular middle layer,composed of interlacing spiral muscle fibres which allow growing and stretching and contracts during labour to accomadate the fetus Perimetrium-peritoneal layer forming the outer layer of the uterus

Parts Fundus-upper part,fallopian tubes connected Body-thick middle tapering section cervix

CERVIX Has an internal and an external os This acts as a safety precaution against foreign bodies entering the uterus During childbirth, the cervix dilates to accommodate the passage of the fetus This dilation is a sign that labor has begun

OVIDUCTS UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

FALLOPIAN TUBES Serve as a pathway for the ovum to the uterus Are the site of fertilization by the male sperm Funnel shaped tubes-10 cm long Fertilized egg takes approximately 6 to 10 days to travel through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterine lining Lined by cilliated columnar epi, which assist the movement of the ovum towards the uterus

OVARIES The female gonads or sex glands They develop and expel an ovum each month A woman is born with approximately 500,000 immature eggs called follicles During a lifetime a woman release 400 to 500 fully matured eggs for fertilization The follicles in the ovaries produce the female sex hormones, progesterone and estrogen These hormones prepare the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg

Ovaries Two almond shaped organs attached to the ligaments that suspend them in the pelvic cavity Consists of connective tissue,BV,nerves and follicles with immature ova

ovulation After puberty,FSH from the pituitary gland stimulates immature ova to mature each month and secrete oestrogen Ovulation is rupture of mature follicle releasing the ovum into peritoneal cavity which is swept into the fallopian tube After ovulation the ruptured follicle changes to the corpus luteum, which begins to secrete the hormone progesterone.

Physiology of female reproductive system the menstrual cycle refers to a cyclic series of monthly changes that occur to the post puberty female’s ovaries and uterus – controlled by hormones. Every month the endometrium prepares itself for implantation of the fertilized ovum. If this does not occur the prepared endometrial lining will be shed.

Menarche is the onset of cyclical bleeding Menarche is the onset of cyclical bleeding. Menstrual cycle There are three phases: • Menstrual (lasts approximately five days) • Pre–ovulatory (proliferative) –vary in length greatly,starts on D6 and ends 0n D 13.(in 28d cycle) • Post–ovulatory (secretory).-from D15-28

The menstrual cycle The ovarian cycle is initiated by a small rise in the level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which begins late during the preceding menstrual cycle. This rise stimulates a group of follicles to develop, one of which matures to ovulation. The mature follicle secretes increasing amounts of oestrogen, which rises to a peak and then falls before ovulation. This oestrogen produces recognisable changes in the vaginal cytology, in the endometrium and in the cervix and cervical secretions. It also operates a negative feedback mechanism, which decreases FSH production, and a positive feedback mechanism, which initiates the mid–cycle surge of luteinising hormone (LH). This surge of LH triggers ovulation. Ovulation is accompanied by a rise in progesterone production and a second rise in oestrogen production .Progesterone produces recognisable changes in the endometrium and in the cervical mucous and causes a rise in the basal body temperature. Menstruation follows ovulation, after an interval of 14 days. These cyclical changes provide the markers for timing of ovulation. Variation in cycle length is due to variation in the pre–ovulatory phase and is caused by a delay in the FSH secretion to reach a sufficiently high level to stimulate the development of a new batch of follicles.

MENSTRUATION Menarche, the onset of menstruation signals the bodily changes that transform a female body.Average age is 12.8 Amount of bleeding per menstruation varies from woman to woman(35-60ml) Cycle length varies from 21-35 days The first day of the menstruation is the first day of a new reproductive cycle Women can experience fluid retention, cramping, mood swings, weight gain, breast tenderness, diarrhea, and constipation

UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

PITUITARY HORMONES

FOLLICLE DEVELOPMENT

OVULATION

OVARIAN HORMONES

SEX HORMONES Follicle stimulating hormone FHS- stimulates follicular growth Luteinizing hormone -•Essential for ovulation – causes ovulation by stimulating the ovarian membrane to dissolve, allowing the ovum to be released. Estrogen- produced throughout the menstrual cycle Progesterone-produced during second half of cycle Both FHS and LH are produced in the anterior pituitary gland Both estrogen and progesterone are produced by the follicles in the ovaries

estrogen Primarily develops and maintains secondary sexual characteristics Growth and development of the reproductive organs and the skeleton Decreases rate of bone re absorption Reproductive functions –aids fertilization, promotes development of the endometrial lining, aids fertilization Changes the pH of the cervical mucus to assist in sperm survival

Progesterone Secreted by corpus luteum. Large amounts secreted following ovulation. Prepares endometrium for implantation of a fertilized ovum. Stimulates mammary glands to produce milk. Increases body temperature. Relaxes smooth muscle, uterus and blood vessels.

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